Marks & Spencer has announced it will remove all genetically modified ingredients from its "St Michael" brand of products. The decision has dealt a further blow to biotech companies trying to gain acceptance of GM foods in Europe in the face of growing consumer resistance.
The company said yesterday it had made the decision, which will also apply to its four shops in Ireland, after carefully considering customer views. Its head of food technology, Dr Tom Clayton, said: "We have to put our customers first and we made this decision as a direct result of listening carefully to their views. These changes to our food products will be made as quickly as possible."
The announcement came as the British government confirmed its discussions with biotechnology companies on a possible voluntary moratorium on the commercial growing of GM crops to allow for full examination of their environmental effects. But the Environment Secretary, Mr Michael Meacher, denied agreement on a three-year moratorium was imminent.
A Marks & Spencer spokesman explained the basis of its decision: "Although we believe that there is a place for genetic modification, customers are concerned about the speed at which these developments are being pushed through."
It would take up to three months to withdraw all GM ingredients. "As all food sold in Marks & Spencer is 100 per cent ownbrand, we will be the only major [British] retailer where customers can purchase any product on the shelves with full confidence that no GM ingredients or their derivatives have been used."
It follows moves by smaller supermarket groups in the UK, notably, ASDA and Iceland, to ban GM ingredients. One of the EU's biggest retailers, Carrefour of France, has also banned GM foods from its stores.
Mr Meacher insisted the government had not done a "secret deal" with GM crop companies. "We have always said that before the full-scale commercialised growing of GM crops takes place we would need to be sure that they don't harm the environment."
His government may have appeared to have changed its tone, if not its message, over the weekend to mollify public concern. "There is truth in the line . . . We are above all concerned that there must be sufficient testing."
His comments came after the Science Minister, Lord Sainsbury, already embroiled in controversy over links with the GM industry, backed plans emerging from the industry for a three-year freeze on new plantations. This would enable the UK government to maintain its line that the safety regime was sufficient, while in practice bowing to fears of consumer groups and some scientists.
A Department of the Environment spokesman declined to comment on the possibility of a moratorium in Ireland. It is coordinating a consultation process before finalising a GM food policy.
A Genetic Concern spokeswoman, Ms Clare Watson, said a voluntary moratorium was insufficient, with indications already that the US company, Monsanto, was dragging its heels. Genetic Concern advocated a five-year mandatory moratorium across Europe to ensure the fullest possible research. This should include trials, which should be conducted in the laboratory, she said.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the biotech company AgrEvo said even without political interference in Britain and major problems in France, EU biotech firms had been exposed to a de-facto moratorium for the past year, as the EU licensing system for new GM crops had more or less collapsed.
